Cultural diversity
Religion
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
About this topic
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
This topic helps show the religious diversity of an area and can support planning for community facilities, faith-based services, and inclusive engagement. It is best interpreted with ancestry, birthplace, and language, which together provide a broader picture of cultural composition.
Interpretation notes
- This records stated religious affiliation, not attendance or level of religious practice.
- No religion and not stated are part of the overall picture, so interpretation should consider both affiliation and non-response.
Key insight
In 2021, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Waverley (NSW), accounting for 40.5% (1,700 people). This share was lower than Waverley (A) (41.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 307 people and 8.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Waverley (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Waverley (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Waverley (NSW), with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
No Religion, so described
Western Catholic
Anglican Church of Australia
Not stated
Judaism
Greek Orthodox
Buddhism
Christianity, nfd
Uniting Church
Presbyterian
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+307
+8.4pp
Western Catholic
-17
+0.4pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-64
-1.2pp
Not stated
-376
-8.4pp
Judaism
+71
+1.9pp
Greek Orthodox
+23
+0.6pp
Buddhism
-12
-0.3pp
Christianity, nfd
-17
-0.4pp
Uniting Church
-5
-0.1pp
Presbyterian
-28
-0.7pp
Data table
Religion for Waverley (NSW). Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 1,700 | 40.5% | 41.4% | 1,393 | 32.1% | 33.5% | +307 | +8.4pp |
| Western Catholic | 1,050 | 25.0% | 18.7% | 1,067 | 24.6% | 19.8% | -17 | +0.4pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 416 | 9.9% | 6.7% | 480 | 11.1% | 8.0% | -64 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 363 | 8.6% | 7.6% | 739 | 17.0% | 13.9% | -376 | -8.4pp |
| Judaism | 263 | 6.3% | 16.0% | 192 | 4.4% | 15.1% | +71 | +1.9pp |
| Greek Orthodox | 83 | 2.0% | 2.0% | 60 | 1.4% | 1.8% | +23 | +0.6pp |
| Buddhism | 48 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 60 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 44 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 61 | 1.4% | 0.9% | -17 | -0.4pp |
| Uniting Church | 37 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 42 | 1.0% | 0.8% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Presbyterian | 27 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 55 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -28 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 4,198 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,339 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -141 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.